Waterlefe Golf & River Club: #16
View of the 16th green at Waterlefe Golf & River Club
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Rating Index Rating
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4.7
2378 Reviews (2378)
5 Stars
1561
4 Stars
690
3 Stars
87
2 Stars
22
1 Stars
18
Conditions
4.6
Value
4.3
Layout
4.8
Friendliness
4.8
Pace
4.5
Amenities
4.4
97.5%
Recommend this course
2285 out of 2378 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.7
72 Reviews (72)
5 Stars
54
4 Stars
14
3 Stars
4
2 Stars
0
1 Stars
0
Conditions
4.5
Value
4.2
Layout
4.7
Pace
4.4
Amenities
4.5
StaffFriendliness
4.8
97.2%
Recommend this course
70 out of 72 reviews
Read Reviews
Average Rating
Avg Rating
4.7
101 Reviews (101)
5 Stars
79
4 Stars
17
3 Stars
4
2 Stars
0
1 Stars
1
Conditions
4.6
Value
4.3
Layout
4.7
Pace
4.5
Amenities
4.5
StaffFriendliness
4.8
97.0%
Recommend this course
98 out of 101 reviews
Read Reviews
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AI summaries based on real golfer reviews
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Course Highlights
Waterlefe's stunning subtropical layout features water hazards on nearly every hole, consistently earning top marks for both design and well-maintained conditions. Friendly staff, smooth pace of play, and outstanding value make this a must-play course in the Tampa-Sarasota region.

About

Holes 18
Type Public
Par 72
Length 6869 yards
Slope 146
Rating 73.9

Inspired by the backdrop of the Manatee River, Ted McAnlis has created the ultimate golf experience with the perfect combination of beauty and challenge. Waterlefe Golf & River Club is built along a particularly beautiful section of the Manatee River, complete with wide expanses of pristine marshes and pleasant coves. Don't be surprised if on the 15th tee you spot a family of manatees poking noses up for a breath of air. The golf course was designed with a great deal of time, effort and expense going toward protecting and resorting the natural environment that gives the course it unique character. The gently sloped greens with the newest Tifteagle Bermuda offer the ultimate in putting. From a lazy start on the par-5 first hole to the big finish on the 18th hole island green, golfers love Waterlefe Golf & River Club!

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Waterlefe Golf and River Club
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Course Details

Year Built 2000
Greens Bermuda Grass
Golf Season Year round
Architect Ted McAnlis (2000)

Rentals/Services

Carts Yes
GPS Yes
Pull-carts No
Caddies No
Clubs Yes

Practice/Instruction

Driving Range Yes
Bunker No
Golf School/Academy Yes
Golf Simulator No
Teaching Pro Yes
Pitching/Chipping Area No
Putting Green Yes
Practice Hole No

Policies

Credit Cards Accepted Major credit cards are accepted.
Metal Spikes Allowed No
Dress code Proper golf attire required

Food & Beverage

Bar, Grill, Beverage Carts

Available Facilities

Clubhouse, Meeting Facilities, Banquet Facilities, Spa

Available Activities

Swimming, Billiards

Available Sports

Fitness, Tennis

Accolades

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Reviews

4.7
2378 Reviews (2378)

What Golfers Are Saying

The 19th Hole is Great For:
Drinks 56
Brunch 17
19th Hole Specials 15
Course Challenges Include:
Water Hazards 159
Forced Carries 106
Bunkers 94
This course/club is great for:
Advanced Golfers 126
Wildlife/ Scenic Views 113
Locals 48
This Course's Location is:
Worth the Drive 106
Convenient to the City 51
In the 'Burbs 43

Numbers based on reviews tagged with attribute.

Reviewer Photos

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Overall Rating
Recommended
Handicap
Age
Type of Golfer
Gender
Played On
Reviews 29
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Previously Played

Great layout

Great course. Restaurant food was very good. Service was awesome.

Conditions Poor
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Fair
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Beautiful Course Great Conditions

Sorry we were cut short by weather wanted to play all 18 it was so nice!

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Response from on 07/21/2026:
We truly appreciate your support and kind rating. It's great to hear you had a positive experience, and our team looks forward to seeing you again for another round.
Played On
Reviews 13
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

It’s a very challenging course!

There’s a lot of pluses here. The course is very challenging, staff is friendly and the dining happy hour is great with good 1/2 price appetizers. The driving range has good balls but limited targets off the matts. The putting green and chipping practice are sub par. Carts are good but small screen gps with no blue tooth. The course is a beautiful lay out with mature trees and greenery and very scenic cart paths with beautiful bridges throughout the course. Unfortunately, the greens were just punched and the fairways had a lot of dry spots with patchy grass. We have been in a drought which could be a lot of the reason for the patchiness. Overall, it has some benefits and is worth playing. Shout out to Britt at the bar, great service and great food recommendations.

Conditions Average
Value Average
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 5
Handicap 15-19
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Moderate
Played On
Reviews 17
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Every nice round on a great course!

Challenging but very enjoyable course. The conditions are impressive given that we're undergoing drought restrictions.

The Staff and facilities are great.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Response from on 07/01/2026:
Thank you for the five-star review! We're thrilled you enjoyed your visit and appreciate you choosing to spend your time with us. We look forward to welcoming you back soon.
Played On
Reviews 6
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Good
Value Average
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Average
Amenities Good
Played On
Reviews 7
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
3.0
First Time Playing

It’s a great layout but the tee box and green aren’t in that good of shape green are pushed still need a couple more tee box’s need work fairways are good

Conditions Average
Value Average
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 13
Handicap 10-14
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Previously Played

Tough course

A tough course if you’re not on the fairway,I played of the blues with the people they put me out with but they were too far back for me,the whites would have been perfect,the course is in great condition,the greens are a little bit slow as they had been punched a week or so ago,will definitely play here again

Conditions Good
Value Good
Layout Fair
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Fair
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing

Spectacular Course

The only negative to my round (besides my score) was the greens were punched a couple weeks ago and still haven’t come back. Lots of wobbles and bobbles on putts.

The whole place is spectacular and has a true private club feel to it from check in to after the round. Absolutely top class all around.

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Response from on 06/15/2026:
Thank you for the five-star review! We're thrilled you enjoyed your visit and appreciate you choosing to spend your time with us. We look forward to welcoming you back soon.
Played On
Reviews 4
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
First Time Playing
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Advanced
Plays Once a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Great challenging course

Great course, should be a 4+ conditions score but the greens had been punched and of course there was no.notice until I dropped off my clubs. Fairways were in great shape, tee boxes could use a little levelling, but looks.like they have prepped for that. Clubhouse is awesome

Conditions Average
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 4
Handicap 0-4
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
3.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Windy weather
Used cart

Value time

Waterlefe had just puncehed the greens and value was not there. The greens were horrible to play on. Couldn't count on scoring good at all.The course is nice but not worth the money at this time.

Conditions Fair
Value Fair
Layout Good
Friendliness Good
Pace Good
Amenities Average
Difficulty Somewhat Challenging
Played On
Reviews 7
Handicap 20-24
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Good
Pace Excellent
Amenities Good
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Played On
Reviews 170
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
4.0
Verified Purchaser
Top 250 Contributor
First Time Playing

Top notch

Course was in great shape. Provided lots of challenges.

Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Good
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays Once a month
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played

Great track

A little slow on back but not bad. Great layout with many beautiful holes. Challenging. Excellent condition.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Response from on 05/20/2026:
Thank you for the great review! We’re thrilled you had a positive experience and look forward to welcoming you back again soon.
Played On
Reviews 20
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Conditions Excellent
Value Good
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 1
Skill Intermediate
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing

Conditions were perfect

Great track, greens were excellent, course was challenging but very playable

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Average
Amenities Good
Response from on 05/15/2026:
Thanks for the wonderful feedback! Hearing this makes our day, and we can’t wait to have you back again soon.
Played On
Reviews 51
Handicap 0-4
Skill Advanced
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
Verified Purchaser
Previously Played
Perfect weather
Used cart

Best Course in Bradenton

Waterlefe is always in good shape and a Fun course to play that will challenge all levels of golfers. With the area being in a drought, the conditions were still very favorable and the greens were quick and true. We Will Be Back!!

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Good
Amenities Excellent
Difficulty Extremely Challenging
Response from on 05/15/2026:
We’re so glad you had a great experience! Thank you for the support — we’ll be ready to welcome you back for another great round.
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Beginner
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing
Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Played On
Reviews 2
Skill Beginner
Plays A few times a week
I Recommend This Course
5.0
First Time Playing

Beautiful course

A really pretty course with some challenging holes, loved it.

Conditions Excellent
Value Excellent
Layout Excellent
Friendliness Excellent
Pace Excellent
Amenities Excellent
Response from on 05/13/2026:
We’re so glad you had a great experience! Thank you for the support — we’ll be ready to welcome you back for another great round.
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